7 Smart Ways to Prepare Your Garden for the New Growing Season
Spring is the ideal time to inspect and adjust your irrigation system before warmer temperatures increase water demand. A system that worked well during winter may now be watering at the wrong times, missing dry areas, leaking at fittings or applying more water than your plants actually need.
A short spring maintenance routine can improve coverage, reduce water wastage and help your lawn and garden enter the growing season in better condition.
1. Inspect every sprinkler and nozzle
Start your spring irrigation check by running each zone separately. Walk through the garden while the system is operating and look for:
- Blocked or damaged nozzles
- Sprinklers that are tilted or sitting too low
- Broken risers or leaking bodies
- Water spraying onto paths, walls or driveways
- Dry patches caused by poor overlap
- Areas where water is pooling or running off
Sprinklers can easily become misaligned after mowing, gardening, soil movement or accidental damage. Correcting these small problems can make a noticeable difference to overall coverage.
For gardens using spray bodies or adjustable nozzles, Turf-Ag stocks a range of Hunter MP Rotators and other nozzle options for different distances, arcs and landscape shapes.
2. Adjust your watering schedule for spring
Winter watering programmes are often too short for the warmer, longer days of spring. However, increasing run times too quickly can lead to overwatering.
Rather than simply adding more minutes to every zone, make gradual adjustments and observe the soil and plants. Sandy soils may need more frequent watering, while heavier clay soils generally benefit from slower watering and longer soak-in time.
A useful approach is to:
- Increase watering gradually as temperatures rise.
- Water deeply enough to encourage healthy root growth.
- Allow the soil surface to dry slightly between cycles where appropriate.
- Avoid watering automatically after rainfall.
- Check whether shaded areas require less water than exposed areas.
The correct schedule will depend on plant type, soil, slope, sun exposure and local weather conditions.
3. Water early in the morning
Early morning is usually one of the most efficient times to irrigate a garden. Temperatures are lower, wind is often lighter and plants have time to use the moisture during the day.
Watering during the hottest part of the day can increase evaporation, while late-night watering may leave foliage damp for longer than necessary. Morning irrigation is not a substitute for correct programming, but it can support more efficient water use.
For larger landscapes or properties where schedules need frequent adjustment, a smart controller can make irrigation management easier. Hunter Hydrawise systems use weather information to help adjust watering according to changing conditions, while also allowing remote control and system alerts.
4. Check for leaks before they become expensive
A small leak can waste water every time the system runs. Inspect exposed pipework, valve boxes, joins, filters and pump connections for signs of:
- Constant dripping
- Wet areas when the system is switched off
- Cracked fittings
- Unusual pressure changes
- Water spraying from underground
- A pump that runs when no zone is open
If the water meter continues moving when all household taps and irrigation zones are closed, there may be a hidden leak that requires investigation.
Pumps and pressure-control equipment should also be checked for reliable operation. Turf-Ag supplies pump-related products such as DAB Press Controls, which automatically start and stop a connected surface pump in response to system demand.
5. Improve coverage instead of simply watering longer
Dry patches are not always caused by insufficient run time. They may be the result of poor sprinkler spacing, incorrect nozzle selection, blocked nozzles or wind affecting the spray pattern.
If one area remains dry while another becomes saturated, consider whether the irrigation layout is applying water evenly. Upgrading from conventional spray nozzles to rotary stream nozzles, such as Hunter MP Rotators, may help improve distribution and reduce runoff. Their slower application rate gives soil more time to absorb water, which can be especially useful on slopes and heavier soils.
The best result comes from matching the nozzle to the area being watered. Small lawn sections, narrow strips, flower beds and larger open spaces may all require different spray patterns and radii.
6. Clean filters and protect drip irrigation
Drip irrigation and micro-irrigation systems are particularly sensitive to blocked filters. Sand, algae, organic matter and other debris can reduce flow and cause plants at the end of a line to receive less water.
As part of your spring maintenance routine:
- Isolate the water supply before servicing the filter.
- Clean or replace filter elements as required.
- Flush the ends of drip lines.
- Check emitters for blockages.
- Inspect connectors for leaks.
- Confirm that pressure is suitable for the system.
Turf-Ag supplies disc filters designed for drip and micro-irrigation applications. These filters help remove particles such as sand, algae and organic matter before they reach sensitive emitters.
7. Use mulch and healthy soil to reduce water demand
Irrigation efficiency is not only about sprinklers and controllers. Soil and garden maintenance also influence how much water your landscape needs.
A layer of suitable organic mulch can help reduce evaporation, protect plant roots and moderate soil temperatures. Removing weeds is also important because weeds compete with plants for available moisture.
Aerating compacted lawn areas may improve infiltration and reduce surface runoff. On sloped ground, shorter irrigation cycles with brief pauses between them can allow water to soak in more effectively instead of flowing downhill.
A simple spring irrigation checklist
Before the season becomes busy, work through this quick checklist:
- Run every irrigation zone.
- Clean blocked nozzles and filters.
- Repair leaks and damaged fittings.
- Check that sprinklers are correctly aligned.
- Adjust controller programmes for spring conditions.
- Confirm that water is not spraying onto hard surfaces.
- Inspect pump and pressure-control equipment.
- Flush drip lines and check emitters.
- Add mulch where appropriate.
- Monitor the garden for dry patches and runoff.
Prepare now for a healthier, more efficient garden
A spring irrigation reset does not always require a complete system replacement. In many cases, better results come from correcting alignment, replacing worn nozzles, cleaning filters, adjusting schedules and improving control.
For homeowners, landscapers and irrigation contractors, Turf-Ag offers a wide range of irrigation, pump, filtration, controller and water-management products to help maintain efficient systems throughout the growing season. Browse the Turf-Ag online store or contact your nearest branch for product guidance.
